CHICAGO - Congressman Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04) issued the following statement on the Federal Emergency Management Administration's (FEMA) decision to deny a major disaster declaration for Illinois that would have provided disaster relief funds for the August 2025 storms:

"The Trump administration's denial of a major disaster declaration for Illinois is a politically motivated decision to punish a blue state, and leave families without the extra help they need.

"It's a continuation of Trump's approach to federal assistance: pick winners and losers based on what direction a state swung in the presidential election. The people of California, Maryland, and now Illinois, all impacted by devastating natural disasters, are left to pick up the pieces without the backing of the federal government.

"Chicago's Southwest Side, a primarily Latino community, was hit hardest by flooding due to the summer storms of 2025. I refuse to let Illinois families be punished for political revenge. I stand ready to work with Governor Pritzker and Mayor Johnson to support the Southwest Side to find alternative ways to ensure homes are safe and free of mold and other contaminants."

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